O2 Unveils the 50 Most Exciting UK Companies in Mobile; First Ever Independent List Identifies the Future Faces Of Mobile

Business Wire, Nov 7, 2005

LONDON -- O2 (LSE:OOM):

--The O2 50 to Watch have combined revenues of GBP 1 billion

--30% of the companies operate globally

--62% are based outside of London

--50 companies chosen from a list of over 200

--Companies range from automated gas meter readings to mobile rat-catching

Unveiled today, the O2 50 to Watch in Mobile is the first ever independently compiled list identifying the 50 most important British mobile companies to watch. The list looks beyond handset manufacturers and network operators, to reveal the new vibrant and innovative companies that are shaping the future of the mobile industry.

Published in conjunction with Real Business, the O2 50 to Watch represent combined revenues of GBP 1 billion and demonstrates how UK companies are pioneering the evolution of the mobile industry - and are doing so with astonishing flair and diversity. O2 is committed to building mutually beneficial and profitable partnerships across the mobile industry and the O2 50 to watch is great practical example of this.

It also highlights the strength, innovation and dynamics of a new industry with robust business models, which is making real money from real consumers and businesses. Companies included in the list range from corporate PC-to-text services to interactive poster-advertising to automated gas meter readings. Many of the individuals behind the O2 50 to Watch are industry heavy-weights, serial entrepreneurs or the next generation of industry personalities.

Mike Short, VP Research & Development, at O2, comments: "Mobile technology is arguably the world's most exportable commodity. It is more deeply entrenched than any other communications technology. 85% of UK households own mobile devices and there are nearly two billion mobile users in more than 210 countries. In comparison, only 40% of households have a PC.

The criteria for selection is that the companies are British, growing, not too big yet, making money, have a sound future and a certain X-factor which sets them apart from their peers. The O2 50 to Watch does not just reflect current activity, but are a harbinger of much greater things to come.

Short continues: "The global market for innovative and useful mobile technology is vast - and it's a market that the UK's leading mobile lights are rushing to service. What this list clearly illustrates is that, beyond the household names, there is a host of exciting and emerging companies, which are spawning content and services driving mobile to the next level."

Adam Leyland, Editor, Real Business, adds: "A casual glance at the mobile industry might reveal it to be the exclusive playground of a handful of network operators and handset manufacturers. But this list shows British mobile innovations are one of the foremost drivers in this industry and have already sparked vast global businesses. For example in 1999 Alexander Amosu made GBP 96 from his first ringtone; today, ringtones globally are a GBP 3.5 billion market."

The O2 50 to Watch in Mobile were selected from a list of over 200 companies by an independent panel of experts including: Mike Short VP Research & Development - O2 Group Technology, Professor Peter Cochrane, Adam Leyland, Editor - Real Business, and Mike Grenville, Editor - 160 Characters.

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About O2

O2 is a leading provider of mobile services to consumers and businesses in the UK. It is the leader in non-voice services, including text, media messaging, games, music and video, as well as always on data connections via GPRS, 3G and WLAN. Each month O2's 15 million plus customers send more than three quarters of a billion text messages. O2 (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of O2 plc, which also owns O2 branded mobile operators in Ireland and Germany as well as the Airwave O2 emergency services network in the UK.